Rick James, Teena Marie Hope To Tour Again

[FastNFancy]

By Franklin Paul NEW YORK (Reuters)



Soul singers Rick James and Teena Marie, two of the 1980s best-known performers, have traveled vastly different paths since they made hits together, but they hope to collaborate again on a joint tour this year.

In the 1980s, James, 54, and Marie, 46, sustained solo careers driven by a knack for both floor-shaking funk jams, such as his "Give It To Me Baby," and touching love songs. James produced her 1979 debut album "Wild and Peaceful" and wrote most of its songs, including their hit duet "I'm Just a Sucker for Your Love." Their most popular collaboration was "Fire and Desire," a heartbreaking 1981 ballad about a failed relationship. Both enter 2003 optimistically, fueled by new projects, all the while hoping to leaving behind decades of record industry troubles and, in James' case, illness and prison. "We are back together again. We have two things on her new album and a tune on mine, and we are going on tour," James told Reuters in a recent interview. Despite their enthusiasm for what would be their first joint tour in almost two decades, no firm plans exist yet. A spokesman for Universal Music, the current parent of Motown Records, was not aware of dates for any joint concerts.

FOREVER LINKED While they each scored numerous solo hits, rhythm and blues history links them forever. Marie, a white, 4-foot-11-inch (150 cm) guitar player gifted with a robust bluesy voice, was signed while still a teen-ager by Berry Gordy to join his legendary Motown label, where she joined a roster made famous by its African-American soul artists. Her debut album was a hit, even though Gordy and James decided that her picture should not appear on its cover because they thought audiences would be less willing to accept her if they knew she was white. Today, Marie says her memories of Motown are mixed. "I don't think that I could have had the career that I had were I not there," she said by telephone from her Los Angeles home. "I understood what they were saying and it kind of made sense. Rick and Berry are brilliant individuals and I felt they probably knew what they were talking about."

James and Marie's potential 2003 return comes on the heels of the release of remastered versions of critical 1981 Motown albums for both: "Street Songs," James's biggest seller, and Marie's "It Must Be Magic." Ironically, "Magic" was Marie's last album for Motown. Money woes drove her away from the place where she recorded hits like "Portuguese Love" and rubbed elbows with greats like Stevie Wonder. Legal action yielded the "Teena Marie law," which protects artists rights, and she eventually won a suit against the label for nonpayment of royalties.

"There were certain things that happened back then that make me feel a little funny sometimes," she said. "Rick and I had the No. 1 and No. 2 albums that summer, and we were selling out on tour, but I didn't make any money." STAYING CLOSE Marie and James did not work together again after she left Motown.

But despite ups and downs in their friendship, they have stayed close and she sang at his mother's funeral in 1991. Her fate improved after she moved to Epic Records, where Marie, born Mary Christine Brockert, went on to string together more hits, such as "Lovergirl." Her luck turned again, for the worse, in 1994 when she tried to record, produce, press and distribute an album without the help of a major label. To put it mildly, "Passion Play" was a business disaster. "I have 40,000 CDs in my garage," she said as she cooked a meal at home. "We sold about 100,000 copies, but I learned not to do it by myself again." Since then she's been touring sporadically, recording when she can and raising her daughter, Alia.

[FastNFancy]

She has been grinding out songs for her new package of original songs, "Black Rain," for almost four years but won't try to publish it on her own. This time she is paired with an unlikely group -- the gold-teeth-flaunting hip-hop crew at Cash Money Records, home of the Grammy-nominated duo the Big Tymers. It's a savvy deal: Cash Money broadens its roster to rhythm and blues, and Marie gains a machine that has proven it can sell records.

James applauds Marie's decision, but said he wants to go it alone with his plan to sell a double-album of new cuts later this year. "She feels comfortable with a company: I don't, and I have the intelligence and I do the due diligence," he said. "I know what it takes to make a record happen." 'SUPERFREAK' In the late 1970s, James first used that winning formula to help resuscitate Motown after its star had begun to fade, with his flavor of brash, no-holds-barred funk. Created with his Stone City Band, James melded his percussive bass with disco's energy to make "let-me-hold-you-tight" grooves. The height of his wining streak was "Street Songs," whose party-life themes, such as "Superfreak," reflected the rascality of James and his crew. "It was the best time of my life," he said. "We were doing groundbreaking tours, and a lot of drugs and drank a lot. We didn't know anything about Betty Ford or addiction in those days. It's hard to reflect and remember those times, they are very vague to me -- a lot of it is a haze."

Misfortune followed for James. He served two years in prison for a 1993 conviction on charges of assaulting two women while under the influence of cocaine and suffered a stroke in 1998 caused by a condition known as rock 'n' roll neck, brought on by whiplash-like motion of the head and neck on stage. And in November, Los Angeles police began probing allegations that James sexually assaulted a woman at his home. James contends he was the victim of a financially motivated smear campaign. Still, his music, like Teena Marie's, has remained in demand, a sign they hope that audiences will want their live shows as much as they want to perform them. Their baselines thrive in the hip-hop genre, which has borrowed from each to make hits, such as The Fugees reworking of her "Ooh La La La," and his "Superfreak," known best as the key to MC Hammer's 1990s phenomenon "U Can't Touch This." "She's ready and I'm ready and people are ready for it," said James. "They are ready for some love."

[FastNFancy]

I sure hope this happens! I would love to see them perform together again. Fire and Desire is my favorite by them.

[AllFiveAllTime]

FastNFancy said:

I sure hope this happens! I would love to see them perform together again. Fire and Desire is my favorite by them.

Aww, hell no. This White woman is coming in here singing Black music. She is one of the reason all these Black mean are jumping ship and being whisked away by these treacherous Devil Bitches. That's right little white female dogs.

[eizzie]

;D ;D ALLFIVE--YOU SURE KNOW HOW TO KEEP IT REAL ;D ;D.
AS FAR AS THE TOUR, IT HAS STARTED. RICK JAMES AND TEENA MARIE WERE HERE A WEEK AGO. I DIDN'T MAKE THE SHOW, BUT ACCORDING TO MY GODCHILD WHO WENT, SHE SAID IT WAS JUST OK. SHE SAID TEENA MARIE SANG HER HEART OUT BUT RICK JUST COULDN'T HIT THE NOTES THE WAY HE USED TOO. KEEP IN MIND, THE MAN HAS HAD TWO STROKES. I COMMEND HIM FOR EVEN GETTING BACK OUT THERE AND GIVING IT HIS BEST. HOPEFULLY, HE WILL IMPROVE. I BELEIVE THE DATE HERE WAS THE FIRST OF THE TOUR, SO HE'S PROBABLY JUST TRYING TO GET HIS FEET WET AGAIN.

[AllFiveAllTime]

Rick probably is trying to sing in the same keys he used to. He probably just wants to play in those keys. But the the brother may lower his songs. Now Bootsie collins is who I wanna see.

[AllFiveAllTime]

eizzie said:

;D ;D ALLFIVE--YOU SURE KNOW HOW TO KEEP IT REAL ;D ;D.
AS FAR AS THE TOUR, IT HAS STARTED. RICK JAMES AND TEENA MARIE WERE HERE A WEEK AGO. I DIDN'T MAKE THE SHOW, BUT ACCORDING TO MY GODCHILD WHO WENT, SHE SAID IT WAS JUST OK. SHE SAID TEENA MARIE SANG HER HEART OUT BUT RICK JUST COULDN'T HIT THE NOTES THE WAY HE USED TOO. KEEP IN MIND, THE MAN HAS HAD TWO STROKES. I COMMEND HIM FOR EVEN GETTING BACK OUT THERE AND GIVING IT HIS BEST. HOPEFULLY, HE WILL IMPROVE. I BELEIVE THE DATE HERE WAS THE FIRST OF THE TOUR, SO HE'S PROBABLY JUST TRYING TO GET HIS FEET WET AGAIN.

I am just telling the truth. Gotta tell the truth. Then them White Chicks wanna know why this hostility is coming from by Black women. White people wanna kill all the Black men, they can't brain wash. So, they brainwash these men to jump ship and then the put the rest in jail.

But here is the sick stuff. If we as a group of people started raising our young boys better then they wouldn't run away and into the arms of these She-devils. We gotta do a better job. Cuz there is no way these men can be respecting thier mama's if they will date anything but black women. But thier mama'a and papa's aren't respecting themselves if they aren't teaching them to stay black and keep the strength going.

[FastNFancy]

What is this?? A Black Nationalist Convention??? ;D

Seriously, AFAT, I understand what you are saying. A great majority of things that are amiss in our community is due to the lack of proper training from our parents. But some of these parents don't know jack either...in other words...you can't teach what you don't know. I am a firm believer in teaching my child and those close to me...we have to start somewhere. I have often wondered how Black mothers feel whose sons bring home the WW. If the adage is true...men marry women like their mothers...then somebody don't know who mama is...been watching too much television. I think my feelings would be very hurt if my son brought one home...not because of the fact that she's white...but I would think he would get someone who reminded him of me...and most of all, we could do each other's hair! ;D
I am not a racist person...I just don't like the idea of some white folks tryin to damn fool me...you know...pissin in my cornflakes.

[Blondie]

((AFAT))) and (((FastNFancy)))

I agree with Fast and Fancy. I'm not a racist either but her sentiments are correct in my opinion. I don't think alot of us as parents know any better. I mean all their lifetimes (meaning some Black Parents) have been taught that White or Light was better. Which is truly shallow and ignorant. I'm just thankful that I know better and my child and my grandchildren know better. It starts with you - in your home - with your kids/grandkids. FORTUNATELY - MUSIC has no color! MUSIC, LYRICS can transcend where LAWS and SHALLOWNESS can't!.

Peace and Blessings (((AFAT and Fast and Fancy))))

[AllFiveAllTime]

Blondie said:

((AFAT))) and (((FastNFancy)))

I agree with Fast and Fancy. I'm not a racist either but her sentiments are correct in my opinion. I don't think alot of us as parents know any better. I mean all their lifetimes (meaning some Black Parents) have been taught that White or Light was better. Which is truly shallow and ignorant. I'm just thankful that I know better and my child and my grandchildren know better. It starts with you - in your home - with your kids/grandkids. FORTUNATELY - MUSIC has no color! MUSIC, LYRICS can transcend where LAWS and SHALLOWNESS can't!.

Peace and Blessings (((AFAT and Fast and Fancy))))

I think we all know better. I think we've all seen the racism in our lives and I think we still experience it. When there is something that you have historically experienced and currently experience a red light should go off like a siren. I'm not going to wait for any of my kids to be hurt. Now, I've heard it said that music has no color, but i don't believe that. Look at TV and look at stereotypes. The black stereotypes concern black music . . . and they are projected on to the screen and into the lives of our people. I'm afraid that everything has a color. As soon as you see an athlete on TV, they play the type of music that they Identify him with. Music has color, just like the rest of the world.

[Blondie]

Ok. I understand your point. I do feel though, that we as a people are BIGGER and STRONGER than most of people think we are. I'm just not a racist but I do know and I do realize that each of us is discriminated against in some way, form or fashion EVERY DAY. People that are not of color can not imagine this nor can they understand this - but I as you understand this. AND I STILL LOVE YOU and RESPECT YOU. This is one of the reasons I do try and support my musical Brothers as much as I can because there is too much out here to mow the Black man down -- too much -- if he is not careful. As far as the 'white woman' thing goes -- I can't put all the blame on 'white women'. It seems that for the Black Man, the 'white woman' is the fruit that the Black Man was told he could never have so those of whom are not on a higher consciousness level ((I'm not speaking of you AFAT, because to me you are on a higher consciousness level) do not realize that this is what they are doing. They don't feel they have ARRIVED until they have a 'white woman'... It's sad, but it's true. I do believe that people have a right to love who they want to love - IF THAT IS WHAT IT IS... okay... I'm not knocking that, but for some of the entertainers and athletes to go and for the EXPRESS purpose of getting a 'white woman' - NAH nah.... If that is whom you fell in love with - okay, so be it BUT in alot of instances that is not the case. Some Black Men don't feel they have 'got it all' until they get them a white woman. It's all psychological on some of their parts. NOW CAN WE GO BACK TO THE MUSIC??!! YEAH and I SITLL LOVE YOU! and I "RUFFuse" to be a racist on any tip! It's ignorant and shallow and for those that are, I feel sorry for them. PEACE and BLESSINGS (((MY BROTHER AFAT))))))

[Blondie]

((((AFAT)))) to prove your and my point about people that are not of color can not understand how we are discriminated against in some way, shape form or fashion EVERY DAY... This just in......
------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2003 09:44:40 -0600
>
>By Christine Phillip, BET.com Staff Writer ?Posted October 24, 2003 --
>
>Army Spec. Shoshana Johnson, the African American woman who was held
>prisoner of war in the U.S. invasion of Iraq, was looking forward to a
>quiet discharge from the Army in a few days. Battle scarred and weary, she
>has said not a word as her fellow POW comrade in arms Jessica Lynch cashes
>in with book and movie deals and a
>celebrity status in the media.
>
>But it is the Army that is forcing Johnson to break her peace. A few days
>ago, military brass informed her that she would receive a 30 percent
>disability benefit for her injuries. Lynch, who is White, was discharged in
>August and will receive an 80 percent disability
>benefit.
>
>The difference amounts to $600 or $700 a month in payments, and that is
>causing Johnson and her family to speak out. They are so troubled by what
>they see as a "double standard," that they have enlisted Rev. Jesse Jackson
>to help make their case to the news media.
>
>Jackson, who plans to plead Johnson's cause with the White House, the
>Pentagon and members of Congress, says the payment smacks a double standard
>and racism.
>"Here's a case of two women, same [unit], same war; everything about their
>service commitment and their risk is equal. . . . Yet there's an enormous
>contrast between how the military has handled these two cases," Jackson
>told The Washington Post.
>
>Johnson's father, Claude Johnson, himself an Army veteran, says that while
>neither he nor his family begrudge Lynch her celebrity or disability
>payments, he believes that his daughter should get her due, and it is more
>than a 30 percent disability benefit.
>
>For its part, the Army, in denying charges of double standard, said Friday
>that claims are awarded to soldiers according to their injuries.
>
>Johnson, 30, the mother of a 3-year-old daughter, was held captive for 22
>days, when her unit stumbled into an ambush in southern Iraq last March.
>Eleven soldiers were killed, and six, including Lynch and Johnson, were
>taken prisoners. Johnson was shot in both legs and is still traumatized by
>her war experience. In addition to walking with a limp, she suffers from
>bouts of depression.
>
>So I ask that you forward this email on to all and inform others of this
>latest racial attack. Forget about the destroying of stamps, forget about
>Kobe, forget about Michael Jordan getting fired and fight for the rights of
>this strong Black Woman!!!
>
>
>
>
>

[AllFiveAllTime]

It seems that for the Black Man, the 'white woman' is the fruit that the Black Man was told he could never have so those of whom are not on a higher consciousness level ((I'm not speaking of you AFAT, because to me you are on a higher consciousness level) do not realize that this is what they are doing. They don't feel they have ARRIVED until they have a 'white woman'... It's sad, but it's true.

This is going to sounds strange, but I'm going to say it. I believe (even though it makes me feel vile inside) the reason for Black men dating not Black women. For a woman it's nature to want a man who can protect her and the home. For a man it is nature to want a woman who exudex femininity (can bare children). But in this twisted crazy society i think things change a bit. It is not folklore or urban legend that Black women are the heads of household. Black women run the show. Is it by choice? No. It's by conditioning.

But the reason these guys are jumping ship, to me, is totally different. Well, not totally. Hear me, Black men and women are oppressed in this country historically and currently. There's not doubt. Whites, no matter what way you shave your stick have more power. White women have 10 times the actual power, influence and respect than a Black man or woman have. White women may claim to be oppressed, but they aren't. White women are suppressed.

What does that mean? White women in this country have always yeilded a great amount of power. Maybe they all didn't have the vote, but some did. They had power and could use it. When Frederick Douglass wrote his Autobigraphy: Narrative of a Slave, he was writing that to a certain audience. It wasn't to Blacks. He wasn't writing to White men hoping to get thier sympathey, because he wouldn't. He was writing to White women as his target audience. And guess what, it was white women who helped to convinve thier husbands to take action, but the white women also took certain if not bigger courses of action.

White women have power. Look at Jane Addams. Now this just proves my point. She was rich. But one would lead you to believe that White women before their sufferage movement (which they did not include black women) were all powerless. Well how were white women powerless if they started one of the largest community aid programs in Chicago? It was the largest at the time.

You see they yeild power. Black fight for power. Fight and fight and fight. Tooth and nail. White women fight for more power. The difference between a white woman fighting for power and a black woman or man fighting for power is like the difference between an ametuer mountain climber getting rope burns on her wrist verses a person being lynched in a mob.

This really is the difference. So, why the attraction to White women? I have of it is that yes, these men feel that these white women are a token or trophey of success. I also know (and more importantly) that these mean are dating women because they hold more power. They are dating women who can bring them a certain modicum of social security. When I say social security, I'm not syaing that they won't be ridiculed, but I am saying that they will have someone who has more social clout that they do. Now, white people may look at this women with crossed eye, but they will still respect the fact that she is white.

. . .to be continued at a more fitting place. Now, let's talk about the music.

[Blondie]

THANK YOU! (((AFAT)))) I told you that "You are on a higher consciousness level"....

[AllFiveAllTime]

nope. No higher consciousbness. I'll tell you this: the whole thing makes me sick.